Namibia
Central
South
North
Food
Groceries are available in any urbanised village or town. A wide, and in places, excellent variety of goods is offered in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Otjiwarongo. In rural areas, however, and especially in the north, fresh produce like vegetables and fruit, is scarce. The price of groceries lies at about 70% of European standards while imported food tends to be much more expensive. The quality of Namibian meat is excellent because the animals feed in natural pastures and no chemicals are added to their food. The meat available is usually beef, and venison from kudu, oryx, springbok and ostrich. Fresh fish, crayfish, mussels and oyster are highly recommended in Swakopmund, Luederitz and Walvis Bay. A favourite with Namibians is "biltong", meat of the oryx antelope, cut into thin stripes and dried in the sun. It is enjoyed as a snack with drinks or nibbled in between.

Golf
Golf is also popular in Namibia. One of the most beautiful courses is the Rossmund Desert Golf Course in Swakopmund. Lüderitz also has a course in the desert.

Hunting
Trophy-hunting by foreign hunters is an important source of revenue for Namibian tourism. The prices are relatively good for Europeans and North Americans. However, the law concerning hunting is very strict. The Namibian farmer issues the hunting licence. Information available at the Namibian Professional Hunting Association, PO Box 11291, Windhoek. Tel 061-234455. email napha@mweb.com.na.

Languages
Before Independence, English and Afrikaans had been the only official languages. Now they are also Herero, Ovambo, Damara and Nama. The white population mostly speaks Afrikaans (60%) and German (35%). You can manage well with English and German.

Maps
The Namibia Tourism office in your home country will send you information on Namibia, including an official map free of charge.

Medical Care
The medical services are generally very good, at least in the larger towns. Private hospitals in Windhoek, Otjiwarongo and Swakopmund have good reputations. Although most doctors are General Practitioners, there are also some specialists in the country. At present, only patients who require heart surgery need to go to Cape Town. The best private clinic is in Windhoek: Mediclinic, Heliodor Street, Klein-Windhoek, Tel 061-222687. Medical Air Rescue Service: ISOS, Tel 061-249777. Medrescue, 061-230505. Most remedies are available at the pharmacies in the bigger towns.

Medical Insurance
Ask your medical aid, whether you are covered when travelling in Namibia. If not, you should take out a medical travel insurance.

Newspapers
To find out about newspapers and other media please see the News page.

Opening Hours
Shops are usually open on weekdays from 8.30 to 13:00 and then from 14:00 to 17:00. On saturdays; from 8:30 to 14:00. Some shops like the "Portuguese" ones, have longer opening hours. Banks open at 9:30 and close at 15:30 during weekdays, while they close as early as 11:00am on saturdays. Post offices are open on weekdays from 8:00 to 16:30 and 8:30 to 11:00 am on saturdays.

Petrol / Petrol Stations
The network of petrol stations in Namibia is good, although not as numerous as in Europe. Also smaller towns have a petrol station. Only cash is accepted as payment. Mostly Diesel, 95 Unleaded and 97 Super (leaded) are available. 1 litre costs just under 7 N$. The petrol stations are service stations (no self-service) and a small tip of about 2 - 5 N$ is adequate, especially if the attendant has washed your windscreen.

Photos
You can buy film in many towns at good prices. There are also a couple of shops that offer a 1-hour photo service. Slides can only be developed in Windhoek. For good wildlife photos, a light-intensive tele-lense and autofocus are usually required. You are allowed to take photos anywhere. If you want to photograph people, it is polite to ask their permission first.

Police
The police is present in all bigger towns.The national emergency number is 10111.

Public Holidays
1 Januar:y New Year
21 March: Independence Day 1
22 March: Independence Day 2
1 May: Workers' Day
4 May: Cassinga Day (reminder of the Freedom Struggle)
25 May: Africa Day
26 August: Heroes Day
10 December: Human Rights Day
25 December: Christmas
26 December: Family Day
Changing Holidays: Good Friday - Easter Sunday, Easter Monday.

Railways
The Namibian railway network covers some 2000 kms and is linked in the south to the South African network. However, the trains are slow and take, for example, almost 9 hours to cover the stretch from Windhoek to Swakopmund. The luxurious Desert Express is of interest for tourists. It operates between Windhoek and Swakopmund three times a week. The train has air-conditioning, sleeping and restaurant cars. Tel 061-2982600. Email.

Roads
The condition of Namibian roads is generally good and well maintained. You can travel the country on 5 500 kms of tarred road and 37 000 kms on gravel roads easily in a normal sedan. The sand, salt and gravel roads are well maintained and easy to navigate, unless it is pouring with rain.

Snakes
Various species of snake live in Namibia, some poisonous ones among them. However, most travellers never get to see snakes, because they tend to move off at the slightest disturbance, with the exception of the puffadder. Remember, snakes don't attack unless threatened or stepped on. Don't walk around barefoot or stick your hand in holes in the ground or in rocks. Should you still get bitten by a snake, keep calm. A tourniquet of sorts should be tied tighly above the bitten area to slow down the spreading of the venom through the body. Note precisely what the snake looked like, and consult the nearest doctor who will administer the required anti-venom. If you have been blinded by a Spitting Cobra, the venom must be washed out immediately with milk; water can also do.

School Holidays
Government schools: late April to late May, late August to early September, early December to middle/end of January. Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS): late April to late May, late August to mid-September, early December to middle/end January.

Taxis
Taxis are available at the international airport in Windhoek, in the towns of Windhoek, Swakopmund, Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, Walvis Bay and in some other towns. Taxis can only be booked telephonically or taken directly at the taxi stand (in Windhoek in Independence Avenue opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel). All taxis are equipped with a taxometre.Tariffs vary.

Telephone
The Namibian telephone net is satisfactory. But many farms still have farm lines (group lines) where a couple of farms share one line. You must first phone the exchange who puts you through to the particular farm.

The mobile cell phone system is up to international. standard. You have coverage along all major routes and in the towns. A Namibian SIM card costs N$ 200, including some air time.

Time
In the Namibian summer, time is ahead of Central Europe for an hour, while in winter, it falls an hour behind.

Tips
It is customary to give a tip of 10% of the bill in restaurants. Porters receive 2 to 5 N$ and a petrol station attendant about 2 N$.

Travelling Season
Namibia has a pleasant climate and can be visited throughout the year. However, from December to February the weather gets very hot and humid.

Vaccinations
For Namibia no vaccinations are required. Malaria-prophylactic (like Lariam) is only necessary if you are planning to visit areas north of the Etosha Park or in the Caprivi. It is most essential to cover yourself from mosquito bites, since no remedies offer total protection. If you, despite taking medicine, still contract malaria, you will be defenseless against the virus. If you have been to a malaria area, watch out for symptoms and see a doctor immediately if they arise to get medication as early as possible.

Value Added Tax (VAT)
VAT is charged at 14%.

Namibia from A to Z

Addresses
Important addresses can be found on the main INFO page.

Alcohol
Beverages can be purchased from the "Bottle Stores" (or Afrikaans "Drankwinkel"). Wine and beer are available at supermarkets and at most National Park foodstores. Namibia brews a beer of its own in Windhoek and Swakopmund, and complies with German purity standards. The wine is - with a few exceptions - imported from South Africa. The type of liquor licence a hotel holds is symbolised by "Y". A single "Y" means: Only beer and wine may be served and exclusively with meals. "YY" means: Only beer and wine served. "YYY" means: All types of liquor can be served.

Automobile Association
The AAN Automobile Association of Namibia is part of the international AA's. You can, for example, aquire maps from them, if you produce your membership card from your home country. Address: Carl List House, corner Independence Ave/ Fidel Castro St., Tel 061-224201.

Banks
The Namibian Bank allows you to exchange all freely convertible currencies and traveller's cheques into Namibian Dollars. At bigger branches you find ATM's, where you can draw money with a credit or Maestro (the former EC) card. The banks are usually open on weekdays from 9:00 to 15:30. Some are closed at midday between 13:00 and 14:00 pm. The Namibian Dollar is on par with the South African Rand (1:1). At present (Jan 2004) 1 Euro equals about 9 N$.

Busses
The company Intercape Mainliner maintains an overland bus service on the routes Windhoek - Mariental - Keetmanshoop - Upington - Cape Town and Windhoek - Okahandja - Karibib - Swakopmund as well as Windhoek - Otjiwarongo - Tsumeb. Tel 061-227487.

Camping
In Namibia, wild camping is neither permitted nor, for safety reasons, recommendable. If you would like to camp on private farm ground, ask the owner's permission. However, nowadays, a good number of camping grounds are available. Campingplätzen. The non-profit NACOBTA organization in Windhoek, financed by Development Aid, has established many beautiful and affordable camps in the country. They are being managed by locals and the profits go to the communities. Address: PO Box 86099, Windhoek, Tel 061-250558.

Car Hire
Car hire is usually quite expensive in Namibia because of the high insurance premiums the Namibian car rental agencies have to pay due to the high number of claims. All big rental companies, like Hertz, Avis and Budget, are represented in the country, while there are also a great number of interesting smaller businesses that offer 4x4's and caravans.

Clothes
The southern winter (May - September) in Namibia is characterised by pleasant day temperatures (about 25°C), while the nights are very cold; often below zero. You should bring both, summer clothes and warm jerseys. During the summer months, day temperatures can soar to well over 30°C while night brings little relief. Many people struggle to sleep well in the heat. For the summer months you will need light and airy clothes; sun-hats, sun-glasses, sun-tan lotion and firm shoes are indispensable.

Credit Cards
In Namibia you can generally pay with the usual credit cards, but not at petrol stations.

Crime
Until Independence was granted in 1990, crime was virtually unknown in Namibia. However, the last decade can seen a great increase in crime, mainly due to the high unemployment rate and the influx of poor people to the urban slum areas. However, relative to the other African countries, Namibia is still one of the safest holiday destinations.

Currency
In 1993 the Namibian Dollar (N$) was introduced. Its' strength is on par with the South African Rand (1:1), because the two countries' economies are closely linked. It is even legal to pay with the South African Rand in Namibia.

Customs
Namibia forms a Customs Union with the other Southern African countries. No customs up to the value of 200N$ and on all personal items is payable up front. To import a vehicle, you need a Carnet de Passage, which you can aquire from the AA of your country. A refundable deposit must be payed. After your travels, you have to take the vehicle out of namibia with you again; you are not allowed to sell it in Namibia or South Africa.

Driving a Car
In the whole of southern Africa one has to drive on the left side of the road. As well as your national driver's licence you should also take an international one along. In all urban areas, there is a speed limit of 60 km/h while on national/rural roads, the limit is 100 km/h. On gravel roads one shouldn't go faster than 80 km/h. Every year, there are many accidents due to people speeding on untarred roads. Besides, if an oncoming car causes a stone to hit your windscreen, chances are it won't break if you are traveling at a lower speed. Tourists especially, who are unfamiliar with the hazards of these roads, overestimate their vehicle's road traction.

Since the beginning of 2002, speed controls have being conducted by lazer guns, particularly in Windhoek, its' surroundings and, for example, north of Rehoboth. Parking offenders are heavily fined nowadays and seatbelt usage is compulsory. Avoid travelling longer distances at night or in the twilight, because wil animals crossing the road are a real threat in Namibia. Most of the farms might be fenced, but kudu can easily jump two metre high fences. A collision with one of these heavy animals often proves fatal. If you have to drive at night, at least don't exceed 80 km/h.

4 x 4
A 4x4 is not an absolute neccessity in Namibia. Most gravel and sand roads are in good condition and can be negotiated by normal light vehicles. But for some areas like Sandwich Harbour or the Sossusvlei and particularly for Kaokoland you have to have a 4x4. For the Kaokoveld, additional expedition equipment like a second spare wheel, tools, special maps and possibly a GPS etc are required.

Electricity
The voltage in Namibia is 220-230 V, AC (identical to South Africa). Adapters are for sale at most supermarkets. Farmers often generate their own electricity with a diesel generator, which they usually only run during the day. At night it's candlelight or light from a 12 Volt battery.

Embassies and Consulates
Namibian Embassy in the UK
6 Chanders St., London WIMOLQ
Tel: 44-207 636 6244, Fax: 44-207 637 5694

UK Embassy in Namibia
116 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek
Tel: 061-274800, Fax: 061-228895

US Embassy in Namibia
14 Lossen St., Windhoek
Tel: 061-274800, Fax: 061-229792

Namibia Embassy in the USA
1605 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC, 20009
Tel: 202-9860540, Fax: 202-9860443

Italian Embassy in Namibia
cnr. Anna/Gerber St's, Ludwigdorf, Klein Windhoek
Tel: 061-228602, Fax: 061-229860

Entry
Visitors from Europe need for a stay of not more than 90 days only a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months ahead on the departure date). There are special regulations for longer stays.

It is possible to import hunting rifles. The permit is issued at entry. You have to produce a fire arm licence from your home country.

Fishing
The most popular fishing destination is the West Coast Recreation Area between Walvis Bay and the Ugab river mouth and further north up to Terrace Bay. Henties Bay is the fishing centre. Anglers mainly reel in Catfish, Steenbras, Snoek, Hake and Kabeljau. It is also popular to fish in dams and to go for Tigerfish in the Zambesi and Kwando rivers in the Caprivi. However, there are strict regulations concerning the amount of fish of particular species you are able to catch and generally, a fishing licence is required. You aquire one for a small fee at the Ministry of Marine Resources and Fisheries in Windhoek. Tel 061-2053911.

Flights
Quite a number of airlines service Windhoek; some on a daily basis. Air Namibia flies daily directly from Frankfurt. Lufthansa flies daily via Johannesburg. The flying time on a direct flight is 9:00 to 10:00. Prices vary a lot, depending on the season. The most expensive times are around Christmas and Easter as well as from July to September. Air Namibia also services Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Oshakati, Walvis Bay, Luederitz and Cape Town.

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